Zwelitsha sides usher in new era in SAB league

TWO Zwelitsha teams rewrote the history books after gaining promotion to play in SAB League

This follows outstanding performances in their respective groups during playoffs held in their hometown.

Young Chiefs finished the playoffs with a handsome 15 points having won all their games, while Barcelona drew two games and won two – finishing their campaign with eight points.

Both teams received trophies, 22 gold medals, andR2 500 in prize-money and, most importantly, they will now play in the fast-paced Safa-Buffalo City Regional (SAB) League.

Young Chiefs secretary Siphosethu Pita said the promotion would bring many good things to the club, including the development of the club and the community at large.

“This will keep youth from drugs and crime and all unsavoury things,” he said.

“As it serves as a pulling factor and motivation for more young people to join the club and to make something of their lives,” he said.

Pita said the team planned to acclimatise itself to regional football

“We want to make sure we retain our status as this will be our first season playing at this level since the club was founded 40 years ago,” said Pita.

He said they were confident about their ability to compete in the upper-tier league.

“But we cannot afford to be naive, we respect that it is a higher level and therefore as a club we going to sit down reassess ourselves.

“And thereafter make any necessary adjustments and also to ensure that we are capable to meet our objectives for the upcoming season,” he said.

Currently the club depends on financial donations made by club members “therefore we appeal to local business and potential sponsors to come on board and assist the club in this journey”, he said.

He said they will use transfer windows to acquire more quality players under the age of 20 years.

Barcelona chairman Mawethu Mnweba, said the promotion would bring confidence and exposure to his team.

“We want to see development of our football. Our community has not had a team playing at this level and therefore now will have a teams to identify with,” he said.

Mnweba said they planned to bring quality football to the fore and to reach at least the top eight.

He said the club was facing tough times ahead as funding was very limited.

“We don’t have training necessities like balls, transportation for players.

“Most of our members are unemployed and others are still studying so there’s no income to run the day-to-day operations of the club.”

He said they were looking for energetic and experienced players to boost their side.